California Basketball Player Throws Punches at Official After Playoff Loss (video)

Moments after Dorsey and Downtown Magnets concluded its playoff game, a Dorsey player confronted an official before throwing punches.

Moments after Dorsey and Downtown Magnets concluded its playoff game, a Dorsey player confronted an official before throwing punches. / showstoppers_basketball/IG

An odd incident occurred moments after the conclusion of an LA City Section boys basketball playoff game between Downtown Magnets and host Dorsey High Wednesday night.

After the buzzer sounded and Downtown Magnets' 59-54 victory was official, a Dorsey basketball player walked from his bench, across the court and approached an official. The player bumped into the official, then proceeded to talk to the official in what appears to be an intense manner, according to footage obtained from NFHS Network.

On a second bump, the official seems to flop to the ground, but the player doesn't stop. The player continues to yell at the official while he lies on the ground. A Dorsey teammate and other adults come to corral the upset player, but that's when it becomes worse. The upset Dorsey player breaks free from the grasp of helpers, runs at the official and starts swinging.

The Dorsey player takes three punches, but none of the attempts land. The official ducks the first punch before backpedaling to avoid the next two. The official does appear to throw one quick jab in self defense while backing up.

WHAT MAY HAVE CAUSED THIS?

With roughly four minutes to play and Dorsey leading by three, the Dorsey player was called for a foul by the same official. The Dorsey player, who is a senior starter on the Dons, was subbed out of the game. As the player was running to the bench, it appears he said something to the same official.

In the video, the official turns toward the player and the Dorsey bench (off camera) and issues a technical foul.

"He must've said something," Downtown Magnets coach JC Agustin said. "I was focusing on the game, of course, but he was definitely issued a technical foul. We clapped because that was two free throws and the possession. It was a huge momentum shift in the game."

It's not clear if the technical foul was the Dorsey player's fifth foul, disqualifying him for the rest of the game, or if the Dorsey coach decided not to play him the remainder of the game. However, given the Dorsey player is a senior starter, it's fair to assume he would've been put back into the game. But one thing is certain, the Dorsey player did not return.

Given the foul calls, Dorsey giving up the lead and losing the game while Dorsey player was unable to help his team on teh floor, it seems plausible this is why the Dorsey player approached the official.

Calls and texts to the Dorsey basketball coach Dart Stamps have not been returned. The LA City Section is aware of the incident and plans to investigate further.

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